Frame stretcher



J Y w. J.; KELLEY 9 U FRAME STRETCHER' H Filed Dec. 18. 1922 v 2 sheatsheet 1 INVENTOR WLJ. KELLEY.

ATTORNEYS FRAME STKETCHER- Filed Dec. 18. 1923 2 Sheets-5heet 2 HJ-E a I. "11,41! 1,1, 2

m nu mm m IHI v x I 32.

INVENTOR W. J? KELLEY ATTORNEYS Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED" STA res} PATENT (ii-"r ce.

o'P'ricAL COMPANY, or somaemae; ivmssao rosmrsya vorlvmarw Assocm:

FR ME; s'rnn'ro mni Application file'd December 18, 192a QSeriarNo. 607315.

inventionis the provision of an improved ,heat actuated stretchingjdevice which will eliminate the diiliculties hitherto experienced and permitot ready and accurate stretching of a non-metallic ophthalmic lensrim tode sired SIZE. j i V j A further ob ect otthe present invention is the provis on of a heat controlled device in which the element of time doesnot need tobe considered, in which over-heating of the "frame 155 prevented, and in which over stretching otthe trainedue to twisting move{ ment, or the like, is also elmnnatedr A further object of the invention is the provision oi animproved automat c device for stretclnng non-n'letallic trainee to desired size: 1

Other objects and advantages of the pres ent invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accon'ipanying drawings, and it will be understood that I may make any modifications in the specific de tails oi constructionshown and described within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or exceeding the spirit of my invention.

Figure I represents a side elevation of one embodiment thereof,

FigureII represents a vertical sectional view thereof,

Figure 111 represents a sectional view of a modified form of the invention,

Figure IV represents a detail section indicating the means for adjusting the supporting table, and

Figure V represents slightly different sizestretching and controlling mechanism.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates the base of my improved stretcher having mounted thereon the stationary frame block 2 and supplemental base portion 3, on which secured half of the stepped former shell 1 having a plurality of steps 5 with intermediate name receiving portions the whole forming asubstantiallycone like memher having cylindrical portions of gradually decreasing;diameter; Slidably i'i' oiint edhg oirthe member 2, as isclearly' illustratediii Figu es I1 and-IILis a: slide 7 bearingtlie block 8, to ,which is secured arsepontl cor respondingly shapedstretcher shell desigiiat ed as an entirely the numeral-"aiming the portions 5 andlfi as" before, This slide has an interior passage 10iirwhicliis lofcated he con'rpres'sion spr1ii tQ11 lee-a ring at one' end against the end ofqthe' slide and at the other eiid against the block 12, retained in pjl ace by the set' screw? 1 3' extending upward trom'the'base or'fraine portion 2: The member Qis further provided'with tile upstand ing lug 145 in which is r'ot-atably mounted the controlling screw 15. It, Willbenot ed that the two stepped cylindrical stretcher members are formed of, thin metallic niaterial. adapted tq have fitted therearoui' d'iii engagement ,with the (en-act member 4' and restin'g'onthe pro er step 5 tliecomposition eye'or frame 17, w iile contained within said members is a suitable source of heat such as the electric light bulb 18, the radiation properties of the metal shaping members and the heat given otl by the bulb 18 being so proportionedthat the bulb will quickly heat the members 3 and 19 to a pointwhere the heat of conduction Will soften the trains 1? but below a point which will in any way damage or injure said trameit left in place fora considerable period. In use the frame having been put in position on the proper step 5 the adjusting screw 15 is backed up away from the slide 7 substantially the amount that it is desired to stretch the frame, either for a larger size lens or merely to open out the frame so that the proper size lens may be inserted in position within it, and the bulb or source of heat is energized. The spring 11 will tend to expand forcing the members 9 and 19 apart as the member 17 is softened and; yields until further movement of the member 7 is prevented by its contact with the limiting stop 15 carried by the portion 14 of the base 2. The parts will then stay in this predetermined position without increase of size or distortion until the workman is ready to remove the frame.

To prevent any distortion due to twisting, I make use of a vertically adjusting table member carried as by the standard or support 21 slidable in the tube 22 on the base, and which may be locked in adjusted position as by the cone point 23 adapted to e engaged in one of the notches or sockets 24 in the standard 21 accordingto the particular step 5 on which the other part of the frame was to rest, this cone point being inwardly actuated as by the spring 26, while having the hand piece 27 by which it may be withdrawn from locking engagement against the pressure-of the spring.

In Figure III, 'I have shown a slight modification in which in place of using the members 9 and 19 on which to stretch the frame, one or both of the members 28 and 29 may be removably held in position on their respective base portions as by the thumb nuts or clamps 30, the parts being then interchanged according to the size of eye to be stretched, the action being otherwise the same as previously described.

In Figure V, I have shown another slight modification of my invention, in which in place of an expanding compressed spring I make use of the tension spring 31 and the stop or limiting screw 32 used in the same manner as was the screw 21 ofFigures II and III.

To facilitate operation of the device if desired there may be suitably pivoted to the base 1 or to the tube or support 22, for example, rising therefrom, a control lever or handle 33 having a tongue portion 34 bearing against the rear of the block 8 on the slide 7 grasping of this handle and swinging it on its pivot serving to force the member 8 and thus the slide and mandrel section 9 carried thereby toward the fixed mandrel section 19 closing up the split mandrel for positioning of a frame thereon or holding the parts closed to facilitate removal of a frame therefrom.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, including a stepped expansible mandrel and a table adjustably mounted adjacent the mandrel for cooperation with the various steps thereof.

2. A device of the character described, including a stepped expansible mandrel and a table adjustably mounted adjacent the mandrel for cooperation with the various steps thereof, and means for locking the table in desired adjusted position.

3. A device for stretching an ophthalmic frame, comprising a base, a mandrel section on the base, a slide on the base, a second mandrel section on the slide movable therewith, resilient means to normally urge the slide and mandrel section thereon away from the mandrel section on the base to stretch one eye of the frame, means to restrict the separation of the mandrel sections to stretch the ophthalmic frame to predetermined size, means to heat the said mandrel sections, and an adjustable table for supporting that part of the ophthalmic frame not being stretched.

WILLIAM .L KELLEY. 

